A Comparative Study of Arterial Stiffness Indices between Diabetics & Non-diabetics

Diabetes is a growing health problem worldwide. Diabetes has profound effects on vasculature and its complications accounting for both morbidity & mortality. Arterial stiffening is recognized as a critical precursor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lifestyle modification is clinical efficacious therapeutic interventions for preventing and treating arterial stiffening. Arterial stiffness can be measured from Digital Volume Pulse which is economical, easier, non-invasive & less time consuming method (Finger Photoplethysmography). Hence, the current study was designed to compare the Arterial Stiffness Indices between diabetics & non-diabetics.

The study involved fifty non-diabetics & fifty diabetics within the age group of 30–50 years. Subjects’ height, weight and baseline value of Blood pressure, Pulse rate and Peripheral Pulse Wave were recorded in both non diabetics & diabetics. From Peripheral pulse wave, arterial stiffness indices were calculated.

Arterial Stiffness Index (SI) = Patients Height (h)/Transit time (ξT_DVP) [Transit time (ξT_DVP) Time delay between systolic peak & Diastolic peak] Reflection Index (RI) = Magnitude of Diastolic peak/Magnitude of Systolic Peak × 100

Arterial Stiffness Index & Reflection Index were highly significant in diabetics than in non-diabetics, p<0.001.

The increased arterial stiffness indices in diabetics are caused not only by hyperglycemia but also by endothelial dysfunction, carbonyl & oxidative stress. Non invasive measurements of arterial stiffness will aid the optimal stratification of CVD risk in an apparently healthy population.